DocGKR said:That would be because the 115 gr Gold Dot performs poorly while the 124 gr and 147 gr work well.
9mm 115 gr +P JHP Gold Dot
BG: vel=1339, pen=16.7, RD=0.55, RL=0.33, RW=115.0
Den; vel=1346, pen=20+, RD=0.35, RL=0.53, RW=114.8
9 mm 124 gr +P JHP Gold Dot
Bare Gelatin: vel=1225, pen=12.0, RD=0.67, RL=0.30, RW=124.2
4 layers of Denim: vel=1239, pen=13.0, RD=0.54, RL=0.39, RW=124.5
My preferred carry load for 9mm is the 147gr Winchester Ranger. I expect that load, among the other 9mm loads that Doc recommends, will be fine in a 3" barrel. 9mm loads are designed around 4" barrels, so shooting 9mm through a 3" barrel is not like shooting a .45 in a 3" barrel where velocity loss is more significant.BKVic said:Thanks for the info. Im looking for a round to use in my Kahr MK9 or XD9sc, both have 3 inch barrels. Id like to stay away from +p rounds...Do you think the standard 124gr or 147gr Gold Dots would expand with the velocities out of the 3 inch barrels?